The VICE Morning Bulletin

Everything you need to know about the world this morning, curated by VICE.

US News

White House Requesting $6 Billion for Texas Aid
The Trump administration is reportedly set to ask Congress for almost $6 billion in government funding for Texas in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, the bulk of which would go to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The request would reportedly be tied to a raising of the debt ceiling, an urgent legislative priority needed to prevent the US from defaulting on its debt. As relief efforts continue, Texas officials revealed 44,000 homes in the state have been damaged or destroyed. With several Texas oil refineries shut down because of flooding, there are fears of a gas shortage in the state. The Department of Energy is releasing 500,000 barrels from government reserves in order to prevent a price spike. —Bloomberg / AP

Police Move to Fire Georgia Cop Who Said 'We Only Kill Black People'
A Georgia police officer caught on camera saying "we only kill black people" to a white motorist during a traffic stop is set to be dismissed from the force. Cobb County Police Chief Mike Register called Lieutenant Greg Abbott's comments "inexcusable" and said the department had recommended he be fired. Abbott's lawyer said the remarks should be viewed in the "context" of the cop attempting to defuse a tense situation. —CNN

Trump Administration Guts Obamacare Promotional Funding
The Trump administration will drastically reduce funding for programs encouraging people to get insurance through the Affordable Care Act. Officials at the Department of Health and Human Services said a promotional fund would be cut from $100 million to just $10 million, while the fund for "navigators" who help people go through a sometimes complex process would be cut from $62.5 million to $36.8 million. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said it was part of an effort "to sabotage our health care system." —AP

Four Companies Chosen to Build Model Border Walls
The Trump administration has picked four firms to construct model sections of a wall for the US southern border. Ronald Vitiello, acting deputy commissioner US Customs and Border Protection, said each concrete replica would cost between $400,000 and $500,000, part of $20 million committed by Congress. These prototypes will be built in San Diego. The government is expected to give four more companies the chance to build non-concrete replicas. —The Washington Post

International News

Kenyan Supreme Court Nullifies Election Results
Kenya's highest court ruled the results of last month's presidential election to were "invalid, null, and void," and said a new election should take place within two months. The opposition candidate Raila Odinga, who had appealed to the court to examine possible electoral fraud, described the decision as "a triumph for the people of Kenya." —CNN

Almost 400 People Killed in Myanmar Violence
According to the military, 370 Rohingya "terrorists" and 13 members of the security forces had been killed since militants from the Muslim minority group attacked security checkpoints last Friday, among other deaths. The bodies of 20 Rohingya women and children were found on the Bangladesh side of a river border with Myanmar Thursday after a boat capsized. Thousands of Rohingya are fleeing the country amid reports of ethic violence. —The Guardian

Turkish President Calls US Arrest of His Security Guards a 'Scandal'
Tayyip Erdogan has condemned a US grand jury indictment of 15 members of his security detail on assault charges, calling it "a complete scandal." Erdogan said it was "a scandalous sign of how justice works in the United States," and blamed the US for not shielding him from Kurdish protestors during his visit to Washington, DC in May. The incident became controversial after a video showed men beating protesters outside the Turkish ambassador's residence in DC. A total of 19 men were charged, though only two have been arrested so far.—Al Jazeera

FARC Changes Name to Enter Mainstream Politics in Colombia
FARC, the Colombian militant organization that agreed to disarm earlier this year following a peace agreement with the government, is changing its name and becoming a political party. Maintaining the same acronym, it has changed from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia to the Revolutionary Alternative Common Force.—Reuters

Everything Else

Sheriff David Clarke Resigns
David Clarke, the longtime champion of Donald Trump on law enforcement issues, has stepped down from his position as Milwaukee County Sheriff. Clarke has not explained why he left the job, but the county confirmed receipt of a resignation letter. Clarke is controversial not just for his outspoken support of Trump's hardline policies but for incidents at jails run by his department, including the dehydration death of a mentally ill inmate last year.—AP

Mahershala Ali to Star in Third Season of 'True Detective'
HBO has approved a third season of True Detective, with Mahershala Ali starring as a detective from Arkansas working on a case in the Ozarks. Jeremy Saulnier is directing with series creator Nic Pizzolatto.—Deadline

Chuck D Blames Flavor Flav Management for Lawsuit 'Drama'
Chuck D said he held Flavor Flav's new management responsible for a lawsuit filed against him and Public Enemy business associates over money allegedly owed Flav. On Twitter Chuck D called the suit "low entertainment" and stated: "Drama is beneath me considering our Age."—Rolling Stone

Playboi Carti Releases 'New Choppa' Video
Playboi Carti has dropped visuals for "New Choppa," his collaboration with mentor A$AP Rocky. The video features the pair discussing guns and firing at an outdoor shooting range alongside women in bikinis.—Noisey

Police Worried 'IT' Will Trigger Another Creepy Crown Scare
The Pennsylvania State Police have warned residents an outbreak of creepy clown sightings may accompany the release of horror movie IT next week. Police advised anyone in the state who spots suspicious Pennywise lookalikes to call a tip line. —VICE

Phishing Scam Cons Canadian University Out of $9 Million
A university in Alberta, Canada, lost more than $9 million after it was hit by a phishing scam. MacEwan University revealed that an email asking staff to change payment details led to the transfer of funds to scammer accounts in Canada and Hong Kong. —Motherboard

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